Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad and Tobago: On Historical Principles

The twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago has a complex history that has resulted in a unique English language, shaped by all members of its multi-ethnic community: the original Amerindian inhabitants, the European colonizers, the Africans - enslaved, free, and indentured - as well as the peoples of India, Portugal, and China. Migration from many Caribbean areas has created both similarities and differences between the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago and the varieties spoken elsewhere. Contents Foreword Acknowledgments I: Introduction 1. Purpose of this Dictionary 2. Notes on Historical Language Background II: How to Use this Dictionary 1. The Structure of an Entry a. How to Read an Entry b. Grammatical Labelling c. Symbols and Abbreviations d. Phonetic Symbols 2 Frequently Asked Questions a. What words are included here? What words are not included? b. Why can’t I find a word I’m looking for? c. Why isn’t this word spelled the way I’m spelling it? d. Why isn’t there an origin listed for every word? e. How is this dictionary different from all other dictionaries? 3. Notes on Pronunciation 4. Notes on Flora and Fauna Entries 5. References Cited 6. Additions and Corrections ENTRIES A-Z A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Appendices: A. Flora by Scientific Names B. Fauna by Scientific Names Bibliographical References Using the historical principles of the Oxford English Dictionary, Lise Winer presents the first scholarly dictionary of this unique language. The dictionary comprises over 12,200 entries, including over 4500 for flora and fauna alone, with numerous cross-references. Entries include definitions, alternative spellings, pronunciations, etymologies, grammatical information, and illustrative citations of usage. Winer draws from a wide range of sources - newspapers, literature, scientific reports, sound recordings of songs and interviews, spoken language - to provide a wealth and depth of language, clearly situated within a historical, cultural, and social context. Comprises over 12,200 entries, including over 4500 for flora and fauna alone, with various cross-references. This dictionary includes definitions, alternative spellings, pronunciations, etymologies, grammatical information, and illustrative citations of usage A comprehensive, historical and scholarly dictionary of the English Creole languages of Trinidad and Tobago, this text is an essential reference for all those who are interested in the language.